Liquid Crystal Display Device

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display device includes a TFT substrate, a facing substrate and liquid crystal sandwiched therebetween. First pixels for displaying a first color according to a first color filter, second pixels for displaying a second color according a second color filter and third pixels for displaying a third color according to a third color filter are aligned in a longitudinal direction on the facing substrate, respectively. The first color filters, the second color filters, and the third color filters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction so as to cover the first, second and third pixels, respectively. First spacers are formed between the first pixels by layering a number of color filters, including the first color filters, and second spacers are formed of a number of color filters, including the second color filters, between the second pixels. The first color filters which are formed between the second pixels are circular in plan view.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/334,659, filed Dec. 15, 2008, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

The present application claims priority over Japanese applicationJP2007-326080 filed on Dec. 18, 2007, the content of which is herebyincorporated into this application by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technology for defining the spacebetween a TFT substrate and a facing substrate in a liquid crystaldisplay using a support pillar system.

(2) Related Art Statement

In liquid crystal display devices, the space between the TFT substrateon which pixel electrodes and thin film transistors (TFT's) are formedand the facing substrate on which color filters and the like are formedis filled in with liquid crystal so that an image is formed bycontrolling the molecules of this liquid crystal by means of anelectrical field. The space between the TFT substrate and the facingsubstrate is as small as several microns. It is extremely important toset an appropriate space between the TFT substrate and the facingsubstrate in order to control the transmission of light through theliquid crystal.

The space between the TFT substrate and the facing substrate inconventional liquid crystal display devices is created by dispersingbeads or the like. When beads are dispersed, however, beads are alsoprovided in regions where pixel electrodes are formed, and such aproblem arises that light is scattered in these portions and thecontrast lowers.

Meanwhile, conventional methods that have been developed for filling thespace between the substrates with liquid crystal include: a method forsealing the space between the TFT substrate and the facing substrate,providing an opening in a portion of the sealing material, and injectingliquid crystal through the opening; and a method for dropping anecessary amount of liquid crystal onto the TFT substrate, and afterthat pasting the facing substrate so as to seal the liquid crystal. Inany cases where beads are dispersed, the beads move, creating locationswhere there are many beads and locations where there are few beads whenthe liquid crystal is dropped. In addition, beads are dispersed intoregions with pixels through which light from the backlight transmits,and this may cause a lowering of the open area ratio.

In order to solve the above described problem, a method for formingsupport pillars of an organic film on the facing substrate (supportpillar system) has been developed as a method for defining the spacebetween the TFT substrate and the facing substrate. Support pillars canbe provided in portions where there are no pixel electrodes, that is tosay, portions through which light from the backlight transmits.Accordingly, the brightness (the open area ratio) is not lowered. Inaddition, the support pillars are fixed to the facing substrate, andthus do not move when liquid crystal is dropped. Accordingly, the methodfor maintaining the space with support pillars is preferable for asystem where liquid crystal is dropped (liquid crystal dropping andsealing system).

In general, these support pillars are formed on a black matrix on thefacing substrate. The support pillars are formed of a resin, such asacryl, and one photolithographic step is required in order to form thesesupport pillars according to the prior art. “Patent Document 1”describes a technology for forming multilayer support pillars of colorfilters in order to omit the photolithographic step of creating supportpillars.

Meanwhile, in the case where multilayer support pillars are formed ofcolor filters, color filters for each color must be precisely positionedin the support pillar portions; otherwise, the height of the supportpillars becomes inconsistent. As a measure against this problem, “PatentDocument 2” describes a technology for keeping the height of the supportpillars constant by using color filters of which the form in plane isrectangular as the support pillars, and changing the orientation of thelongitudinal axis of the rectangles by 90 degrees every time colorfilters are layered.

-   [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication H9    (1997)-49914-   [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication    2003-233064

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

The space between the TFT substrate and the facing substrate has anoptimal value depending on the drive system, the material for liquidcrystal and the like, and this value differs for each product. When thespace between the TFT substrate and the facing substrate is notappropriate, the contrast lowers. In the case where conventional spacersare formed of multilayer color filters, the height of the spacers isfixed to a multiple of the thickness of the color filters of a naturalnumber, and thus it is difficult to set the space between the TFTsubstrate and the facing substrate to an optimal value.

In addition, in display devices, a black matrix, which is a lightblocking film in frame form, is formed on the facing substrate in theperiphery of the display region where an image is to be formed. Aportion of the TFT substrate corresponding to the portion of the blackmatrix in the periphery does not have as many wires and the like as inthe display region, and therefore the spacers in the periphery portionmust be taller than the spacers in the display region. However, it isdifficult to form spacers having different heights within the sameliquid crystal display panel in accordance with the above describedprior art where multilayer spacers are formed of color filters.

The present invention is provided in order to solve the above describedproblems and implement a technology for using color filters as spacerswhere the height of the spacers can be finely controlled if necessary.

Meanwhile, the price of the material for liquid crystal in liquidcrystal display devices is high, and therefore it is necessary to reducethe amount of used liquid crystal in order to reduce the cost of theliquid crystal display device. In addition, the coefficient of thermalexpansion of liquid crystal is higher than the solid materials, such asspacers, glass and wires. Liquid crystal display devices are usedoutdoors, and therefore the temperature range for use is wide.Accordingly, the inside of the liquid crystal display panel receivesvarious types of stress through thermal expansion or contraction of theliquid crystal. In order to reduce this thermal stress of the liquidcrystal, it is better for the amount of liquid crystal to be smaller.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the amount ofliquid crystal inside a liquid crystal display panel so that the cost ofthe liquid crystal display device is reduced, and the stress throughthermal expansion of the liquid crystal within the liquid crystaldisplay panel is reduced, and thus to increase the reliability of theliquid crystal display panel.

Means for Solving Problem

The present invention is characterized in that multilayer spacers areformed of a number of color filters, and the height of the spacers isfinely controlled by changing the areas of the color filters for formingthe spacers.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that firstspacers and second spacers having different heights are formed, and thedifference in the height between the first spacers and the secondspacers is created by changing the areas of the color filters forforming the first spacers and the second spacers, or by changing theorder of the color filters in the multilayer spacers.

Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the amountof liquid crystal used is reduced by providing color filters betweenpixels which do not contribute to the formation of an image. Concretemeans are as follows.

(1) A liquid crystal display device, having a TFT substrate, a facingsubstrate and liquid crystal sandwiched between the above described TFTsubstrate and the above described facing substrate, characterized inthat first pixels for displaying a first color by means of first colorfilters, second pixels for displaying a second color by means of secondcolor filters, and third pixels for displaying a third color by means ofthird color filters are formed in a matrix on the above described facingsubstrate, first spacers for defining the space between the abovedescribed facing substrate and the above described TFT substrate, andsecond spacers shorter than the above described first spacers are formedon the above described facing substrate, the above described firstspacers are formed by layering a number of color filters in such amanner that the area of color filters on the lower side from among theabove described number of color filters is greater than the area ofcolor filters on the upper side, and the above described second spacersare formed by layering a number of color filters in such a manner thatthe area of color filters on the lower side from among the abovedescribed number of color filters is smaller than the area of colorfilters on the upper side.

(2) The liquid crystal display device according to (1), characterized inthat the above described first spacers are formed of three layers ofcolor filters in such a manner that the area of the color filters in theuppermost layer is the smallest, and the above described second spacersare formed of three layers of color filters in such a manner that thearea of the color filters in the lowermost layer is the smallest.

(3) The liquid crystal display device according to (1), characterized inthat the above described second spacers are formed of three layers ofcolor filters in such a manner that the area of the color filters in thelowermost layer is the smallest, the area of the color filters in theuppermost layer is the greatest, and the area of the color filters inthe middle layer is greater than the area of the color filters in thelowermost layer and smaller than the area of the color filters in theuppermost layer.

(4) The liquid crystal display device according to (1), characterized inthat the above described first spacers are formed between the abovedescribed first pixels aligned in the longitudinal direction, and theabove described second spacers are formed between the above describedsecond pixels aligned in the longitudinal direction.

(5) A liquid crystal display device, having a TFT substrate, a facingsubstrate and liquid crystal sandwiched between the above described TFTsubstrate and the above described facing substrate, characterized inthat first pixels for displaying a first color by means of a first colorfilter are aligned in the longitudinal direction, second pixels fordisplaying a second color by means of a second color filter are alignedin the longitudinal direction, and third pixels for displaying a thirdcolor by means of a third color filter are aligned in the longitudinaldirection on the above described facing substrate, the above describedfirst color filters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction soas to cover the above described first pixels, the above described secondcolor filters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction so as tocover the above described second pixels, and the above described thirdcolor filters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction so as tocover the above described third pixels, and first spacers are formedbetween the above described first pixels by layering a number of colorfilters, including the above described first color filters.

(6) The liquid crystal display device according to (5), characterized inthat second spacers are formed of a number of color filters, includingthe above described second color filters, between the above describedsecond pixels, and the above described first spacers is taller than theabove described second spacers.

(7) The liquid crystal display device according to (5), characterized inthat the above described first color filters extend in the lateraldirection in stripes between the above described second pixels andbetween the above described third pixels.

(8) The liquid crystal display device according to (7), characterized inthat the above described first spacers are formed of three layers ofcolor filters, including the above described first color filters, andthe above described second spacers are formed of three layers of colorfilters, including the above described second color filters.

(9) The liquid crystal display device according to (8), characterized inthat a number of color filters are layered between the above describedthird pixels.

(10) A liquid crystal display device, having a TFT substrate, a facingsubstrate and liquid crystal sandwiched between the above described TFTsubstrate and the above described facing substrate, characterized inthat a display region for displaying an image and a light blockingregion in frame form surrounding the above described display region areformed on the above described facing substrate, first pixels fordisplaying a first color by means of first color filters, second pixelsfor displaying a second color by means of second color filters, andthird pixels for displaying a third color by means of third colorfilters are formed in a matrix in the above described display region onthe above described facing substrate, and spacers for defining the spacebetween the above described facing substrate and the above described TFTsubstrate are formed of the above described first color filters, theabove described second color filters and the above described third colorfilters in the above described light blocking region in frame form onthe above described facing substrate, and the height of the abovedescribed spacers is greater towards the outside of the above describedlight blocking region.

(11) The liquid crystal display device according to (10), characterizedin that any of the above described first color filters, the abovedescribed second color filters and the above described third colorfilters which form the above described spacers has an area which isgreater towards the outside of the above described light blockingregion.

(12) The liquid crystal display device according to (11), characterizedin that the above described spacers are formed of a number of filtersfrom among the above described first color filters, the above describedsecond color filters and the above described third color filters.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, spacers are formed by layering anumber of color filters, and therefore a separate photolithographicprocess for forming spacers is not necessary, and in addition, theheight of the spacers can be finely controlled by changing the area ofthe color filters which form the spacers.

In addition, according to the present invention, when first spacers andsecond spacers having different heights are formed, the area of thecolor filters for forming the first spacers and the second spacersvaries, or the order of layering of the color filters varies so that thedifference in the height between the first spacers and the secondspacers is created, and thus the heights of the first spacers and thesecond spacers can be finely controlled.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, color filters areprovided between pixels which do not contribute to the formation of animage, and therefore the amount of liquid crystal used can be reduced,and the cost of the materials for the liquid crystal display device canbe reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1E are diagrams showing a main portion of the facingsubstrate according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plan diagram showing the black matrix according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan diagram showing red color filters according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan diagram showing blue color filters according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan diagram showing green color filters according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan diagram showing a liquid crystal display panel;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the pixel arrangement in the facingsubstrate;

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan diagram showing a TFT substrate correspondingto FIGS. 1A to 1E;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional diagram showing the liquid crystal displaypanel along line A-A in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10A to 10E are diagrams showing a main portion of the facingsubstrate according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plan diagram showing the black matrix according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a plan diagram showing red color filters according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a plan diagram showing blue color filters according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a plan diagram showing green color filters according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional diagram showing a periphery portion of aliquid crystal display panel according to the prior art;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional diagram showing a periphery portion of aliquid crystal display panel according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional diagram showing a periphery portion of aliquid crystal display panel according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional diagram showing a first spacer portion ofthe liquid crystal display panel according to the fifth embodiment; and

FIG. 19 is a cross sectional diagram showing a first spacer portion ofthe liquid crystal display panel according to the sixth embodiment.

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS

-   10 . . . first spacer-   15 . . . spacer support-   20 . . . second spacer-   30 . . . spacer in periphery-   100 . . . TFT substrate-   101 . . . scanning line-   102 . . . SD electrode-   103 . . . gate insulating film-   104 . . . α-Si-   105 . . . passivation film-   106 . . . orientation film-   107 . . . liquid crystal layer-   130 . . . terminal portion-   150 . . . sealing portion-   200 . . . facing substrate-   201 . . . counter electrode-   205 . . . rib-   210 . . . display region-   220 . . . peripheral light blocking region-   1021 . . . video signal line-   1022 . . . support metal-   R . . . red color filter-   G . . . green color filter-   B . . . blue color filter-   RP . . . red pixel-   GP . . . green pixel-   BP . . . blue pixel-   BM . . . black matrix-   OC . . . overcoat film

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in detail in reference to thedrawings. FIG. 6 is a plan diagram showing a liquid crystal displaypanel used in a liquid crystal display device to which the presentinvention is applied. In FIG. 6, a TFT substrate 100 and a facingsubstrate 200 are layered on top of each other. The TFT substrate 100and the facing substrate 200 are pasted together by means of a sealingportion 150 formed in the periphery, and liquid crystal is sealed insidethe sealing portion 150. The space between the TFT substrate 100 and thefacing substrate 200 is kept constant by means of spacers. Here, thespacers in the present specification are support pillars formed on thefacing substrates, and hereinafter these support pillars are simplyreferred to as spacers.

The TFT substrate 100 is formed so as to be greater than the facingsubstrate 200, and a terminal portion 130 for supplying video signals,the power supply and the like to the liquid crystal display panel fromthe outside is formed in the periphery of the TFT substrate 100 on thelower left side in FIG. 6. A display region 210 is formed as a majorportion on the facing substrate 200. A peripheral light blocking film220 is formed as a black matrix BM in frame form in the periphery of thedisplay region 210.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the arrangement of pixels in the displayregion 210 on the facing substrate 200. In FIG. 7, red pixels RP, bluepixels BP and green pixels GP are aligned at a constant pitch Px in thelateral direction. Here, to be precise, though the red pixels RP, theblue pixels BP and the green pixels GP are holes of the BM correspondingto the red pixels RP, the blue pixels BP and the green pixels GP, theyare simply referred to as red pixels RP, blue pixels BP and green pixelsGP in order to avoid complexity. Pixels of the same color are aligned ata constant pitch Py in the longitudinal direction. The width of eachpixel is Pw and the longitudinal diameter of each pixel is Ph. The pitchPx in the lateral direction is 170.25 μm, for example, and the pitch Pyin the longitudinal direction is 510.75 μm, for example. Meanwhile, thewidth Pw of the pixels is 143.25 μm and the longitudinal diameter Ph ofthe pixels is 410.75 μm.

As shown in FIG. 7, spacers are formed on the black matrix BM betweenthe pixels in the longitudinal direction, and therefore the regionswhich can be used for the formation of spacers have a length of 100 μmin the longitudinal direction. There are no particular limitations inthe width of the spacers when used in the lateral direction. Though inFIG. 7 the form of the spacers in a plane is circular, in the case whereit is desired to increase the area of the spacers, the form of thespacers in a plane can be elliptical or rectangular. In FIG. 7, only theform of the spacers in a plane is shown. To be precise, though the formof the spacers in a cross section in the longitudinal direction istrapezoidal, there is no great difference in the area between the upperportion and the lower portion of the trapezoid. The plan diagram showingthe spacers in FIG. 7 can be considered to show the form of the upperportions of the spacers.

In FIG. 7, though first spacers 10 are formed between the green pixelsGP and second spacers 20 are formed between the blue pixels BP, nospacers are formed between the red pixels RP. In addition, the firstspacers 10 are taller than the second spacers 20. The space between theTFT substrate 100 and the facing substrate 200 is usually defined by thefirst spacers 10. In the case where pressure is applied to the liquidcrystal display panel from the outside, the space between the TFTsubstrate 100 and the facing substrate 200 defined by the first spacers10 becomes smaller, and at this time the second spacers 20 make contactwith the TFT substrate 100 so as to prevent excessive deformation of theTFT substrate 100 or the facing substrate 200.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing portions in the TFT substrate 100with which spacers formed on the facing substrate 200 make contact. InFIG. 8, a scanning line 101 extends in the lateral direction. Theportion on which the scanning line 101 lies corresponds to the blackmatrix BM which extends in the lateral direction between pixels in thelongitudinal direction in FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, video signal lines 1021extend in the longitudinal direction and are aligned in the lateraldirection. The portions on which the video signal lines 1021 are formedcorrespond to the black matrix BM which extends in the longitudinaldirection between pixels in the lateral direction in FIG. 7. Pixelelectrodes are formed in sections partitioned by the scanning line 101and the video signal lines 1021. The locations of the pixels electrodescorrespond to red pixels RP, blue pixels BP and green pixels GP in FIG.7.

In FIG. 8, first TFT's 110 and second TFT's 120 are formed along thescanning line 101. The TFT's are formed along the scanning line 101because the scanning line 101 is used as the gate electrodes of theTFT's. The video signal lines 1021 are used as the source/drainelectrodes of the TFT's. In FIG. 8, there are two TFT's in each section.Though the first TFT 110 is usually used, in the case where the firstTFT 110 becomes defective during the manufacturing process, wires aremodified so that the second TFT 120 can be used. Here, in some cases,the second TFT 120 is not formed. Through holes 130, as shown in FIG. 8,are created for the connection between the pixel electrodes and theTFT's. FIG. 8 is a plan diagram showing the locations of TFT's and thelike, and the detail of the wires and the like are omitted.

In FIG. 8, spacer supports 15 are formed in locations between the firstTFT's 110 and the second TFT's 120 which correspond to the first spacers10 formed on the facing substrate 200. When the TFT substrate 100 andthe facing substrate 200 are layered on top of each other, the spacersupports 15 formed on the TFT substrate 100 make contact with the firstspacers 10 formed on the facing substrate 200 so as to define anappropriate space between the TFT substrate 100 and the facing substrate200.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional diagram showing a portion in the vicinity ofa spacer when the TFT substrate 100 and the facing substrate 200 arelayered on top of each other. This cross section shows a portioncorresponding to the cross section along line A-A in FIG. 8, forexample. In FIG. 9, the black matrix BM is formed on the facingsubstrate 200, and a red color filter R along with a green color filterG are layered on top of this. A spacer in columnar form of a blue filteris formed on top of the green color filter G. An overcoat film OC, whichis a passivation layer, is formed so as to cover the green filter G andthe blue color filter B. An orientation film 106 for orienting liquidcrystal is formed on top of the overcoat film OC.

A scanning line 101 is formed on top of the TFT substrate 100, and thisscanning line 101 works as a gate electrode in a TFT portion. A gateinsulating film 103 is formed on top of the scanning line 101. An α-Sifilm 104 is formed in portions where TFT's are formed. Source/drainelectrodes (SD electrodes 102) with channel portions in between areformed on top of the α-Si film 104. Three SD electrodes 102 are formedon top of one portion of the α-Si film 104. In this case, the SDelectrodes 102 on the two sides are sources and the SD electrode 102 inthe middle is a drain, or vice versa. Channel etching for stabilizingthe properties of the TFT's is carried out on the channel portions ofthe α-Si film 104.

A spacer support 15 is formed in a portion between two TFT'scorresponding to a spacer formed on the facing substrate 200 using thesame material and the same process as for the SD electrodes 102. A firstspacer 10 is formed on the facing substrate 200 so as to correspond tothis spacer support 15. A passivation film 105 is formed of SiN so as tocover the TFT's and the spacer support 15. The passivation film 105 is afilm for protecting the TFT's. An orientation film 106 is formed so asto cover the passivation film 105.

In FIG. 9, the first spacer 10 formed on the facing substrate 200 andthe spacer support 15 formed on the TFT substrate 100 make contact witheach other. The spacer support 15 is formed of a support metal 1022 inthe same process as for the SD electrodes 102. The first spacer 10 andthe spacer support 15 define the space between the TFT substrate 100 andthe facing substrate 200.

The formation of the spacer support 15 on the TFT substrate 100 sidecorresponding to the first spacer 10 is one example, and in some casesonly the first spacer 10 defines the space between the TFT substrate 100and the facing substrate 200. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, no spacersupports 15 are formed on the TFT substrate 100 in portionscorresponding to the second spacers 20 shown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 9, the space between the TFT substrate 100 and the facingsubstrate 200 is filled in with liquid crystal. As shown in FIG. 9,color filters are layered on the facing substrate 200 in a portion wherea scanning line 101 is formed in other locations in addition to thefirst spacer 10, and therefore the space between the TFT substrate 100and the facing substrate 200 is small. Accordingly, the amount of liquidcrystal with which this region is filled in is very small.

It is necessary for the liquid crystal layer 107 to have a uniformthickness in order to have an appropriate display using the liquidcrystal. As described above, the portions where pixel electrodes areformed require that the liquid crystal layer 107 have a uniformthickness. Meanwhile, the liquid crystal layer 107 does not contributeto a display in the regions where a scanning line is formed on the TFTsubstrate 100. Accordingly, in these portions, the amount of used liquidcrystal can be smaller when the liquid crystal layer 107 is thinner. Thematerial for the liquid crystal is expensive, and therefore the cost forthe materials can be reduced by reducing the amount of liquid crystalused in these portions, and thus the cost for the manufacture of theliquid crystal display device can be reduced. In addition, stress due tothe thermal expansion of liquid crystal can be lowered when the amountof liquid crystal is small.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, no counter electrodes are formed on thefacing substrate 200. The embodiment of FIG. 9 is a case where the pixelelectrodes and the counter electrodes for driving liquid crystalmolecules 1071 are formed on the TFT substrate 100. This configurationis used for a so-called IPS (in plane switching) system driving methodwhere the display is controlled by rotating liquid crystal molecules1071 in the direction parallel to the TFT substrate 100. However, thepresent invention described below can be applied to a general TN(twisted nematic) system where counter electrodes are formed on thecounter substrate 200 and a VA (vertical alignment) system in additionto the IPS system.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the details of the region A inFIG. 7. FIG. 1B is a cross sectional diagram along X1-X2 in FIG. 1A,FIG. 1C is a cross sectional diagram along R1-R2 in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1D isa cross sectional diagram along B1-B2 in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1E is a crosssectional diagram along G1-G2 in FIG. 1A. The form of the pixelelectrodes shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E reflects the actual pixel electrodes.In FIGS. 1A to 1E, pixels of the same color are aligned in thelongitudinal direction, and pixels of different colors are aligned inthe lateral direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1B, 1D and 1E, first spacers 10 are formed between thegreen pixels GP and second spacers 20 are formed between the blue pixelsBP. These spacers are formed of color filters. As shown in FIG. 1B, thefirst spacers 10 are taller than the second spacers 20.

As shown in FIG. 1B, in a first spacer 10, a red color filter R islayered on top of the black matrix BM, and a green color filter G islayered on top of this. A blue color filter B in columnar form islayered on top of the green color filter G, and thus the spacer isformed. In addition, an overcoat film OC is formed on top of this.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1B, in a second spacer 20, a red colorfilter R in columnar form is first formed on top of the black matrix BM,and a blue color filter B along with a green color filter G are layeredon top of this. In addition, an overcoat film OC is formed on top ofthis.

The first spacers 10 are taller than the second spacers 20 for thefollowing reasons. The first spacers 10 and the second spacers 20 areboth multilayer spacers formed of three layers of color filters. Thefirst spacers 10 and the second spacers 20 are different in that thespacer portion in columnar form is formed last in the first spacers 10,while the spacer portion in columnar form is formed first in the secondspacers 20. Color filters are formed by dispersing a pigment in aphotosensitive organic resin and liquid before being processed throughphotolithography. In the second spacers 20, a red color filter incolumnar form is formed in a lower layer, and when green and blue colorfilters are layered on top of this, the color filters which are on topof the portion in columnar form become thinner as a result of levelingeffects. Meanwhile, in the first spacers 10, the portion in columnarform is formed last, and therefore there are no leveling effects inupper layer films, unlike in the second spacers 20. Thus, the firstspacers 10 become taller than the second spacers 20.

FIG. 1C is a cross sectional diagram along R1-R2 in FIG. 1A. As shown inFIG. 1C, in this portion, only two layers, which are the red colorfilter R and the green color filter G, are layered on top of the blackmatrix BM. Accordingly, this portion is lower than those shown in thecross section along B1-B2 and the cross section along G1-G2 in FIGS. 1Dand 1E.

FIG. 1D is a cross section along B1-B2 in FIG. 1A. This shows the formof a second spacer 20 in a cross section. In this portion, three layersof color filters are formed on top of the black matrix BM in the orderof the red color filter R, the green color filter G and the blue colorfilter B, and the red color filter R is formed in columnar form.Accordingly, the film thickness of the green color filter G and the bluecolor filter B on top of the red color filter R is reduced as a resultof leveling effects as described above.

FIG. 1E is a cross sectional diagram along G1-G2 in FIG. 1A showing theform of a first spacer 10 in a cross section. In FIG. 1E, three layers,which are red color filter R, green color filter G and blue color filterB, are formed on top of the black matrix BM. In FIG. 1E, the blue colorfilter B layered lastly is formed in columnar form, and therefore thereare no leveling effects in the red color filter R and the green colorfilter G. Accordingly, the first spacer 10 shown in FIG. 1A is tallerthan the second spacer 20 shown in FIG. 1D.

FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams showing a process for forming the facingsubstrate 200 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. As shown in FIG. 2, first, ablack matrix BM is formed so that pixels are defined. The black matrixBM is formed by applying a light shielding film throughout the entiretyof the facing substrate 200, and after that removing the light blockingfilm from portions corresponding to the pixel electrodes throughetching. Scanning lines 101 are formed in portions on the TFT substrate100 corresponding to the portions in band form of the black matrix BMwhich extend in the lateral direction.

FIG. 3 shows a state where a red color filter R is formed on top of theR pixels and the black matrix BM. Though the red color filters on top ofthe red pixels RP plays its original role as a color filter, the redcolor filters R are also used as spacers and to save the material forliquid crystal in the present embodiment, and therefore red colorfilters R in addition to those on the red pixels RP are formed in otherportions. That is to say, red color filters R in stripes are formed inthe longitudinal direction, and thus the amount of liquid crystal withwhich the spaces between the red pixels RP are filled in can be saved.

In addition, the red color filters R in circular form between the bluepixels BP and the red color filters R in band form which is long in thelateral direction between the green pixels GP respectively form portionsof the second spacers 20 and the first spacers 10. In FIG. 3, the redcolor filter R between the blue pixels BP is in circular form in a planeand has an area smaller than that of the red color filter R between thegreen pixels GP, and thus the second spacer 20 formed between the bluepixels BP is made shorter than the first spacer 10 formed between thegreen pixels GP.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a green color filter G is formed. Though thered color filters R are omitted in FIG. 4 in order to avoid complexity,the green color filter G is formed on top of the red color filters Rformed in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the green color filter G is formed in astripe in the longitudinal direction crossing the green pixels GP.Furthermore, the green color filter G is formed so as to extend in thelateral direction and cover the black matrix BM formed between the bluepixels BP and between the red pixels RP. The portion between the bluepixels BP becomes part of the second spacer 20, and the portion betweenthe red pixels RP becomes a filler material to save the material forliquid crystal.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 5, blue color filters B are formed. Though thered color filters R and the green color filter G are omitted in FIG. 5in order to avoid complexity, the blue color filters B are formed on topof the green color filter G. In FIG. 5, a blue color filter B is formedin a stripe in the longitudinal direction so that the blue color filterB covers the BM between the blue pixels BP. As a result, the materialfor liquid crystal with which the space between the blue pixels BP isfilled in can be saved. In addition, a blue color filter B in circularform is formed between the green pixels GP, and thus the blue colorfilter B becomes part of the first spacer 10. The blue filter B incircular form is formed in the uppermost layer, and thus the firstspacer 10 becomes higher than the second spacer 20 as described above.

In the above example, the difference in the height between the firstspacer 10 and the second spacer 20 is created using the leveling effectsof the color filters formed in layers above the color filter in columnarform. As a method for creating a difference in the height between thespacers, the leveling effects of color filters in upper layers can beused, and in addition, the areas of the spacers formed of color filterscan be changed.

That is to say, color filters are formed so as to have a predeterminedform by applying a liquid and exposing this to light so that the liquidreacts. In this case, the height of the color filter after processingbecomes higher when the area of the color filter is great. Accordingly,it is possible to change the height of the first spacer 10 or the secondspacer 20 by changing the area of the color filter in circular formshown in FIG. 3 or 5. As described above, the present invention canprovide great freedom in changing the height of the spacers.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 10A to 10E are diagrams showing the second embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 10A is a diagram showing the region A in FIG. 7in detail. FIG. 10B is a cross sectional diagram along X1-X2 in FIG.10A, FIG. 10C is a cross sectional diagram along R1-R2 in FIG. 10A, FIG.10D is a cross sectional diagram along B1-B2 in FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10Eis a cross sectional diagram along G1-G2 in FIG. 10A. The form of thepixel electrodes in FIGS. 10A to 10E reflects the actual pixelelectrodes. In FIGS. 10A to 10E, pixels of the same color are aligned inthe longitudinal direction, and pixels of different colors are alignedin the lateral direction.

As shown in FIGS. 10B, 10D and 10E, a first spacer 10 is formed betweengreen pixels GP and a second spacer 20 is formed between blue pixels BP.These spacers are formed of color filters. As shown in FIG. 1B, thefirst spacer 10 is taller than the second spacer 20.

The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in thatthe difference in height between the second spacer 20 and the firstspacer 10 is greater than in the first embodiment. This is achieved byforming the second spacer 20 in accordance with a different method fromin the first embodiment, so that the height of the second spacer 20becomes smaller. In FIGS. 10A to 10E, the form and structure of thefirst spacer 10 between the green pixels GP are the same as in the firstembodiment. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the second spacer 20between the blue pixels BP is formed by layering a green color filter Gin circular form in a plane on top of a red color filter R in circularform in a plane and layering a blue color filter B on top of this, asshown in FIG. 10A.

As shown in FIGS. 10B and 10D, a green color filter G in columnar formis formed on top of a red color filter R in columnar form in the secondspacer 20. In the present embodiment, the area of the green color filterG in columnar form between the blue pixels BP is smaller than the areaof the green color filter G in the first embodiment, and therefore, thegreen color filter G is thinner than in the case of the firstembodiment.

FIGS. 11 to 14 are diagrams illustrating a process for forming thefacing substrate 200 shown in FIGS. 10A to 10E.

FIGS. 11 and 12 correspond to FIGS. 2 and 3 showing the firstembodiment. The present embodiment is different from the firstembodiment in the form of the green color filter G in FIG. 13. As shownin FIG. 13, the green color filter G formed between blue pixels BP iscircular in a plan diagram and has a smaller area than the green colorfilter G in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the green color filter Gformed in the present embodiment is lower than the green color filter Gformed in the first embodiment. After that, as shown in FIG. 14, a bluecolor filter B is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment,and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

Here, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment inthat only a red color filter R is formed on top of the black matrix BMbetween red pixels RP. Other parts of the configuration, as well as theeffects, are the same as in the first embodiment.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the final height of thesecond spacer 20 is changed by changing the area of the layered colorfilters, and in addition there are leveling effects on color filters inupper layers as a result of a color filter in columnar form beinginitially formed. Meanwhile, in the case where it is desired for theheight of the first spacer 10 to be greater, the area of the green colorfilter G in columnar form in the uppermost layer may be increased.

Third Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 6, a peripheral light blocking film 220 in frame formis formed of a black matrix BM outside the display region 210 on thefacing substrate 200 of the liquid crystal display panel. The outside ofthe wiring region 140 on the TFT substrate 100 side, where TFT's andwires for these are formed, corresponds to the peripheral light blockingfilm 220, and the space between the TFT substrate 100 and the facingsubstrate 200 is great relative to the display region 210. Accordingly,when spacers having the same height as in the display region 210 areformed in the portion of the peripheral light blocking film 220, thedistance between the TFT substrate 100 and the facing substrate 200becomes small and, as shown in FIG. 15, the TFT substrate 100 deforms inthe periphery portion, for example. FIG. 15 shows an example where aperipheral spacer 30 is formed of a red color filter R in a stripe orcovering the whole substrate and a blue color filter B in columnar form.In FIG. 15, the thickness of the red color filter R and the blue colorfilter B is the same as in the display region. FIG. 15 shows a casewhere the TFT substrate 100 deforms, but in some cases the facingsubstrate 200 side deforms.

As described above, when the substrate deforms in the periphery, itaffects the display region 210, so that the contrast lowers in theperiphery of the display region 210. In order to prevent this, theperipheral spacers 30 in the portion of the peripheral light blockingfilm 220 may be made taller than the spacers in the display region 210.In this case, stress is applied to the glass substrate when the heightof the spacers on the peripheral light blocking film 220 is rapidlychanged relative to in the display region 210.

In the present embodiment, the area of peripheral spacers 30 in columnarform in the portion of the peripheral light blocking film 220 becomesgreater toward the periphery, and thus, the height of the spacer incolumnar form becomes greater toward the periphery, as shown in FIG. 16.That is to say, peripheral spacers 30 are formed of a red color filter Rin a stripe and a green color filter in columnar form on top of this,and the area of the green color filters in columnar form becomes greatertoward the periphery, and as a result, the height of the peripheralspacers 30 increases toward the periphery, as shown in FIG. 16. In thepresent embodiment, the height of the peripheral spacers 30 is easy tochange, and thus, the contrast in the peripheral portion of the displayregion 210 can be prevented from lowering, and the stress on the TFTsubstrate 100 or the facing substrate 200 can be alleviated.

Fourth Embodiment

The present embodiment provides another configuration for preventing thecontrast from lowering in the periphery of the display region 210 andpreventing stress on the TFT substrate 100 and the facing substrate 200when the space between the TFT substrate 100 and the facing substrate200 becomes larger in the portion of the peripheral light blocking film220 outside the display region 210, as described in the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 17 shows the configuration of the present embodiment. In FIG. 17,peripheral spacers 30 are formed of three layers of color filters on theperipheral light blocking film 220 on the facing substrate 200. Theperipheral spacers 30 in the present embodiment, where three colorfilter layers are used, are taller than the peripheral spacers in thethird embodiment. In addition, in the present embodiment, green colorfilters G and blue color filters B are spacers in columnar form. Inaddition, the area of the green color filters G in columnar form isgreater toward the periphery, and thus, the height of the spacersbecomes gradually greater toward the periphery of the substrate.

Though in FIG. 17, the area and the height of the green color filters Gvary, the area of the blue color filters B in columnar form may alsovary, in the case where it is desired for the height of the spacers tobe greatly different in the peripheral portion. Accordingly, the presentembodiment allows for more freedom in the design in the case where it isdesired for the height of the spacers in the periphery to be different.

Fifth Embodiment

In the first to fourth embodiments, examples where no counter electrodes201 for controlling liquid crystal are formed on the facing substrate200 are given. As described above, however, the present invention can beapplied to configurations where counter electrodes 201 are formed on thefacing substrate 200. FIG. 18 shows an example of such a configuration.FIG. 18 is a cross sectional diagram showing only a portion where aspacer is formed. In addition, FIG. 18 shows only a portioncorresponding to a portion of the first spacer 10 in FIG. 7. Parts ofthe configuration other than the portion shown in FIG. 18 are the sameas in the first and second embodiments.

In FIG. 18, a facing substrate 200 is provided on the lower side and aTFT substrate 100 is provided on the upper side. Wires and TFT's formedon the TFT substrate 100 are omitted. In FIG. 18, a black matrix BM isformed on the facing substrate 200, and a blue pixel BP and a red pixelRP are formed on the two sides of the black matrix BM. A red colorfilter R, a green color filter G and a blue color filter B are layeredon top of the black matrix BM. The height of the spacer can be adjustedby changing the area of the spacer, as in the first and secondembodiments.

In the present embodiment, counter electrodes 201 are formed on top ofthe overcoat film OC on the facing substrate 200. In the case where thecounter electrodes 201 are formed also on top of the spacers in columnarform, there is a possibility that counter electrodes 201 and wiresformed on the TFT substrate 100 may make contact, thus short-circuitingthe counter electrodes 201 and the wires formed on the TFT substratewhen the orientation film 106 breaks, when the TFT substrate 100 and thespacer make contact. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, nocounter electrodes 201 are formed in the spacer portions in order toavert this danger. When this configuration is provided, the presentinvention can be applied to cases where counter electrodes 201 areformed on the facing substrate 200.

In the above, a case where counter electrodes 201 are formed on thefacing substrate 200 and the present invention is applied to the firstspacers 10 is described, but the present invention can be also appliedto the second spacers 20. That is to say, the second spacers 20 areshorter than the first spacers 10, and this can be achieved by using twocolor filter layers in the second spacers 20, or making the area of thecolor filters in columnar form smaller than in the first spacers 10.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 19 shows an example where the present invention is applied to aso-called VA system liquid crystal display device. FIG. 19 is a crosssectional diagram showing only a portion where a spacer is formed. Inaddition, the portion shown in FIG. 19 corresponds to a portion of thefirst spacer 10 in FIG. 7. Parts of the configuration other than theportion shown in FIG. 19 are the same as in the first and secondembodiments.

In FIG. 19, a facing substrate 200 is provided on the lower side and aTFT substrate 100 is provided on the upper side. Wires and TFT's formedon the TFT substrate 100 are omitted. In FIG. 19, a black matrix BM isformed on the facing substrate 200, and a green pixel GP and a red pixelRP are formed on the two sides of the black matrix BM. A red colorfilter R, a green color filter G and a blue color filter B are layeredon top of the black matrix BM. The height of the spacer can be adjustedby changing the area of the spacer, as in the first and secondembodiments.

In the present embodiment, ribs 205 are provided on top of the spacers.These ribs 205 are formed so as to extend over the pixel electrodes andfunction to make liquid crystal molecules incline and widen the viewangle on the pixel electrodes. In FIG. 19, the height of the spacers isadjusted by layering a red color filter R, a green color filter G and ablue color filter B, as in the first embodiment. In addition, the heightof the spacers can be controlled by controlling the area of the colorfilters forming the spacers, or through leveling in accordance with amethod for layering color filters, as in the first embodiment.

The present embodiment is different from the fifth embodiment in thatcounter electrodes 201 are formed on the facing substrate 200 so as toextend over the spacers made of color filters. That is to say, in thepresent embodiment, the possibility of the counter electrodes 201 andwires formed on the TFT substrate 10 short-circuiting is very small, dueto the presence of the ribs 205, in addition to the orientation film106, between the counter electrodes 201 and the TFT substrate 100, evenwhen the counter electrodes 201 are formed on top of the spacers made ofcolor filters, and thus, it becomes possible to provide thisconfiguration.

As described above, the present invention can be applied also to VAsystems. Though the above description relates to the first spacers 10shown in FIG. 7, the invention can also be applied to the second spacers20, as in the fifth embodiment.

1. A liquid crystal display device, comprising a TFT substrate, a facingsubstrate and liquid crystal sandwiched between said TFT substrate andsaid facing substrate, characterized in that first pixels for displayinga first color by means of a first color filter are aligned in alongitudinal direction, second pixels for displaying a second color bymeans of a second color filter are aligned in the longitudinaldirection, and third pixels for displaying a third color by means of athird color filter are aligned in the longitudinal direction on saidfacing substrate, said first color filters extend in stripes in thelongitudinal direction so as to cover said first pixels, said secondcolor filters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction so as tocover said second pixels, and said third color filters extend in stripesin the longitudinal direction so as to cover said third pixels, firstspacers are formed between said first pixels by layering a number ofcolor filters, including said first color filters, second spacers areformed of a number of color filters, including said second colorfilters, between said second pixels, and said first color filters whichare formed between said second pixels are circular in plan view.
 2. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 1, characterized inthat said first color filters extend in the lateral direction in stripesbetween said second pixels and between said third pixels.
 3. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 1, characterized in that saidfirst spacers are formed of three layers of color filters, includingsaid first color filters, and said second spacers are formed of threelayers of color filters, including said second color filters.
 4. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 1, characterized inthat a number of color filters are layered between said third pixels. 5.The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, characterized inthat an area of color filters on a lower side from among said number ofcolor filters configuring said first spacers is greater than an area ofcolor filters on an upper side, and the area of color filters on thelower side from among said number of color filters configuring saidsecond spacers is smaller than the area of color filters on the upperside.
 6. A liquid crystal display device, comprising a TFT substrate, afacing substrate which a counter electrode is formed on, and liquidcrystal sandwiched between said TFT substrate and said facing substrate,characterized in that first pixels for displaying a first color by meansof a first color filter are aligned in a longitudinal direction, secondpixels for displaying a second color by means of a second color filterare aligned in the longitudinal direction, and third pixels fordisplaying a third color by means of a third color filter are aligned inthe longitudinal direction on said facing substrate, said first colorfilters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction so as to coversaid first pixels, said second color filters extend in stripes in thelongitudinal direction so as to cover said second pixels, and said thirdcolor filters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction so as tocover said third pixels, first spacers are formed between said firstpixels by layering a number of color filters, including said first colorfilters, and said counter electrode is not formed in portions of saidfirst spacers.
 7. The liquid crystal display device according to claim6, characterized in that second spacers are formed of a number of colorfilters, including said second color filters, between said secondpixels.
 8. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 7,characterized in that said first spacers are taller than said secondspacers.
 9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 6,characterized in that said first color filters extend in a lateraldirection in stripes between said second pixels and between said thirdpixels.
 10. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 6,characterized in that said first color filters which are formed betweensaid second pixels are circular in plan view.
 11. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 7, characterized in that said firstspacers are formed of three layers of color filters, including saidfirst color filters, and said second spacers are formed of three layersof color filters, including said second color filters.
 12. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 6, characterized in that anumber of color filters are layered between said third pixels.
 13. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 7, characterized inthat an area of color filters on a lower side from among said number ofcolor filters configuring said first spacers is greater than an area ofcolor filters on an upper side, and the area of color filters on thelower side from among said number of color filters configuring saidsecond spacers is smaller than the area of color filters on the upperside.
 14. A liquid crystal display device, comprising a TFT substrate, afacing substrate which a counter electrode is formed on, and liquidcrystal sandwiched between said TFT substrate and said facing substrate,characterized in that first pixels for displaying a first color by meansof a first color filter are aligned in a longitudinal direction, secondpixels for displaying a second color by means of a second color filterare aligned in the longitudinal direction, and third pixels fordisplaying a third color by means of a third color filter are aligned inthe longitudinal direction on said facing substrate, said first colorfilters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction so as to coversaid first pixels, said second color filters extend in stripes in thelongitudinal direction so as to cover said second pixels, and said thirdcolor filters extend in stripes in the longitudinal direction so as tocover said third pixels, first spacers are formed between said firstpixels by layering a number of color filters, including said first colorfilters, said counter electrode extends over said first spacers, andribs are provided on top of said first spacers.
 15. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 14, characterized in that secondspacers are formed of a number of color filters, including said secondcolor filters, between said second pixels,
 16. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 15, characterized in that said firstspacers are taller than said second spacers.
 17. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 14, characterized in that said firstcolor filters extend in a lateral direction in stripes between saidsecond pixels and between said third pixels.
 18. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 14, characterized in that said firstcolor filters which are formed between said second pixels are circularin plan view.
 19. The liquid crystal display device according to claim15, characterized in that said first spacers are formed of three layersof color filters, including said first color filters, and said secondspacers are formed of three layers of color filters, including saidsecond color filters.
 20. The liquid crystal display device according toclaim 14, characterized in that a number of color filters are layeredbetween said third pixels.
 21. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 15, characterized in that an area of color filters ona lower side from among said number of color filters configuring saidfirst spacers is greater than an area of color filters on an upper side,and the area of color filters on the lower side from among said numberof color filters configuring said second spacers is smaller than thearea of color filters on the upper side.